THOUSANDS of supporters of the Herstmonceux Science Centre are campaigning to save the iconic venue since it was announced it will have to find a new home by 2026.
A number of online petitions have been created, in which one has already received more than 4,000 signatures.
The Chief Executive of Wealden District Council, Trevor Scott, has written to the Queen’s University which owns the land, for answers and for clarity on the future of the ongoing use and preservation of the heritage assets and historic telescope on the site.
Abbie Rumbold, interim CEO, said: “We will be very sad to leave the Observatory, which has been our home for the past 30 years but we are excited at the prospect of finding a new location for our many spectacular interactive science exhibits.
In the letter from Mr Scott, it said: “As you will no doubt be aware, the science centre is an important feature in our district. The science centre not only protects the assets on the site, but also offers educational and fun interaction in the field of science and space exploration.
“As I understand it, the centre had over 60,000 visitors last year and the demand continues to grow.
“Since the announcement that you would be bringing their lease to a close, we have had considerable contact from concerned people both local and far and wide who are shocked at the prospect of the science centre closing. At the present time, it is difficult for us to offer any reassurance to those people as we only learnt about the decision when the press statement was issued.
“I am therefore reaching out to ask if we could arrange a conversation to get a better understanding around the future intentions of the university for this site. We fully understand the challenging financial position that you are facing at Herstmonceux Castle, with the need for significant renovations.
“Nevertheless, the castle and the science centre are important features and we would like to understand what your plans are for the future and how we can help to ensure the ongoing use and preservation of these historic buildings.”
East Sussex County Councillor Gerard Fox said: “The Observatory Science Centre offers tremendous educational support for local children and people to develop their interest in science and attracts visitors from all over the world. The site is of historic national significance to astronomy and offers considerable convening power for those seeking to develop an interest in STEM subjects. It remains a pretty good dark sky site in the South East of England – an increasing rarity these days – for amateur astronomers & those seeking to learn more about the subject to meet and hold events.”
Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Climate Change and Economy, who also represents Herstmonceux, said, “I was shocked to hear about a proposed ending of the lease on the science centre at Herstmonceux Observatory in the grounds of Herstmonceux castle.
“The whole estate – science centre, castle, and park – is owned by Bader College of Queen’s University. The science centre is not only a wonderful resource for young people provoking the wonder of science, but also protects the heritage domes housing telescopes from the old Greenwich observatory.
“We are disappointed not to have been kept informed by the university, which we are still trying to contact. That said, we are in discussions with the science centre to support them in any way we can.”
The centre says it will be business as normal until the day it has to move, and it will continue to welcome almost 60,000 visitors every year.
The Science Centre has been bringing science to East Sussex for nearly 30 years after taking over the Observatory in 1995. At the opening ceremony, astronomer Patrick Moore described it as “Saved for science!”
Hailsham News has approached Queen’s University for comment.
